The idea is that one could have, for example, "No CPR" permanently (and prominently) emblazoned on one's chest, because an EMT might overlook a bracelet, but couldn't help but see the tattoo.

The downside is that, so far, "[m]edical tattoos don't appear to carry much legal weight." As it turns out, neither do the bracelets. I spoke with a client (a FD bigwig) who told me that it's not really an issue: the bracelets are "descriptive" (i.e. "I'm diabetic" or "I'm allergic to penicillin") not "prescriptive" ("Do not resuscitate").

The idea is that one could have, for example, "No CPR" permanently (and prominently) emblazoned on one's chest, because an EMT might overlook a bracelet, but couldn't help but see the tattoo.

The downside is that, so far, "[m]edical tattoos don't appear to carry much legal weight." As it turns out, neither do the bracelets. I spoke with a client (a FD bigwig) who told me that it's not really an issue: the bracelets are "descriptive" (i.e. "I'm diabetic" or "I'm allergic to penicillin") not "prescriptive" ("Do not resuscitate").